He seasoned 12 turkeys Wednesday and placed them in the oven about 10 p.m. He removed them about 7:30 this morning and then helped carve them so they'd be ready to serve by noon to more than 120 people for New Bethany
Ministries' annual Thanksgiving dinner.

Rodriguez stood in the kitchen, watching fellow volunteers serve plates of food to those in need at the transitional housing facility on Wyandotte Street in Bethlehem. He was in his guests' position several years ago, he said, so he knows how it feels to have nowhere to go on Thanksgiving.

"Just watching (the volunteers) serve the food gives me gratitude," said Rodriguez, who's been volunteering on and off for the past 14 years.

New Bethany held its 27th annual Thanksgiving dinner today.

Rodriguez was one of 25 to 30 volunteers helping out, said Neal Koplin, board president at New Bethany. He wasn't surprised by the large turnout.

"The need never falls off," he said. "The community really responds."

Before dinner was served, some people danced and sang along to live music. Then Bethlehem resident Samuel Cruz, 53, and several others shared what they were thankful for and said a prayer.

New Bethany been assisting Cruz for the past five years. He has turned to the ministry for help with many things, such as hot meals, shelter and to simply have someone to "talk to one-on-one," he said.

"The whole staff is a team of God," he said.

Larry Kopp, deputy executive director of New Bethany, said the staff tries to build relationships with their clients. Though it helps those with material needs, he said, spiritual needs are just an important.

"We're here to serve," he said. "It's all about giving to those who don't have a place to go."